Penn State football is coming off its second and final bye week of the season. The Nittany Lions have seen offensive success from every position group, including their wide receivers.

After a lackluster 2023 season, the wide receivers weren’t expected to produce much in 2024. Instead, the group has been reliable throughout the season. Trey Wallace, Omari Evans, Liam Clifford, and Ohio State transfer Julian Fleming have been the primary pieces.

The group has worked extensively as a unit to improve on and off the field, starting in the offseason and carrying into game weeks. Their work ethic hasn’t changed despite the success they’ve had.

“I would say some of the strides that we’ve been taking is just the extra work and the extracurriculars that we’re doing after practice — more practice, just everything that we’re doing throughout the week together and continuously building chemistry, playing with each other and playing for each other,” Fleming said.

The Catawissa, Pennsylvania, native hasn’t had as many catches or yards as the other three, with nine catches for 132 yards, but he’s averaging 14.7 yards per reception. Two of those catches, though, were fourth down conversions late in the fourth quarter in Penn State’s 33-30 overtime win against USC two weeks ago.

Fleming and the others haven’t only been working solely as a unit. Their relationship and confidence in quarterback Drew Allar has grown with consistent practice and how he’s played this season.

“It really comes down a lot to all the work that we did outside of this season, and all the extra throwing sessions and catching that we’ve been able to do it just building that confidence with Drew [Allar], and just having him being able to trust us going out there,” Fleming said. “He’s out there throwing the ball very, very well right now, and he’s trusting us a lot to make the plays down the field, and really in all regards of the game. That’s really just a testament to the confidence that we built throughout this whole year going all the way back to January.”

Of all wide receivers, Allar connects most with Wallace, who has 17 catches for 283 yards and two touchdowns. Evans has 11 for 236 and two, but he’s averaging 21.5 yards per catch because of his deep-threat capability. Clifford, who has gotten better in recent weeks, has 11 for 206 and a touchdown.

The Nittany Lions faced Illinois earlier this season, which has the No. 39-ranked passing defense. That was only a preview of Wisconsin, ranked No. 7 in that category. The Badgers have allowed just 1,091 receiving yards all season.

“We’re gonna definitely have to be on our P’s and Q’s this weekend,” Fleming said.

Playing at Camp Randall Stadium at night won’t be easy for Fleming and the other wideouts. Factor in the crowd and a red-hot Wisconsin team with a good defense, and there could be problems. Regardless, Fleming is embracing the challenge.

“They’re a very, very tough opponent, and they’re going to have a lot of support. It’s a cool atmosphere, and it’s going to be really exciting being able to go there again,” he said.